Abstract: A device stores a plurality of dishes or the like in a plurality of stacks, with each stack at an object-receiving region within the device. The device includes a base and a plurality of spaced apart partitions for partitioning the space extending above the base into a plurality of object-receiving regions. The space between the partitions forms a pair of diametrically opposite slits in each object-receiving region. In one embodiment, four generally T-shaped partitions together form four object-receiving regions, and a central open region. In another embodiment, eight partitions, including two corner partitions, four generally T-shaped partitions, and two cross-shaped partitions, form nine object-receiving regions, one of which is a central open region extending above the center of the base.

Abstract: A shelving system includes a generally rectangular planar shelf member with truncated corners and a removable corner structure is provided at each such corner for supporting the shelf on a vertical corner post. The corner structure has a non-corroding rigid insert for supporting the shelf, and a non-corroding housing member is integrally formed about the rigid insert. Each corner structure is adapted to be secured to one truncated corner by a clamping bar and screw fasteners, and a tapered bore in the corner structure cooperates with a complementary sleeve having a frustoconical outer surface to securely mount the corner structure on the vertical support member.

Abstract: A caster direction-locking mechanism for a mobile cart improves agility and stability of the cart during high speed movement. This cart includes four casters supporting it for rolling movement. Each caster has a wheel rotatable about a horizontal axis and is mounted with the cart for swiveling movement about a generally vertical axis. The caster direction-locking mechanism selectably locks two adjacent casters against such swiveling movement and with the horizontal axes thereof in generally mutually parallel relation. A handle is mounted on the cart for steering it and an actuator is associated with the handle for actuating the caster direction-locking mechanism to selectably lock and unlock the two casters against swiveling movement.

Abstract: A single piece, molded plastic shelf is configured with spaced channels and ribs having slots to provide upward and downward fluid communication with items stored thereon. A generally flat tray of molded plastic is provided with a flange extending upwardly around its periphery. Rib sections are spaced periodically about the tray, forming generally parallel channels to the rib sections to allow free circulation of air and free drainage of liquids from the underside of stored items. Each rib section extends upwardly a greater extent than the peripheral flange. Slots are provided in each rib section further to allow the free circulation of air or other gases while restricting drainage of liquids.

Abstract: A shelf support system for a "knock-down" type shelving system having adjustable height shelves includes a support post having a generally right equilateral triangular cross-section. A wedge member is disposed on the interior face of the support post by a snap-on operation, and is located at a predetermined height thereon by detent apparatus cooperating therebetween. A corner bracket is structurally associated with a corner of the shelf to be supported, and is formed with a tapered face for cooperating with the wedge member. A snap-on collar is provided for forming together with the corner bracket a triangular sleeve around the support post, the collar resiliently engaging the corner bracket, such that the sleeve may be seated on the wedge member by wedge action, thus the shelf may be supported on the support post at the predetermined height.

Abstract: A medical emergency crash cart includes a housing having a top formed with a recessed tray for storing instruments, supplies, and the like, and at least one side formed with an opening. A transparent cover selectably covers the tray but provides visual access to its contents. A removable door encloses the opening. At least one storage compartment is mounted on another side of the housing and is pivotable between open and closed positions. A single latch mechanism simultaneously locks the cover in position covering the tray, the door in position enclosing the opening in the housing, and the compartment in its closed position.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for an insulated cabinet, having a cabinet door and a cabinet housing, includes a striker disposed on the housing and a slotted striker plate disposed on the cabinet door for receiving the striker. A latch spring is disposed within the cabinet door adjacent the slotted striker plate such that the slotted striker plate receives the striker and the latch spring releasably secures the striker. A latch rod assembly is adapted to cooperate with the latch spring to enable release of the striker and this assembly includes a latch rod having an operating handle and a lifter rod portion linked with the latch spring to lift the spring to release the striker. The assembly further includes a latch rod guide for supporting and guiding the latch rod for reciprocal movement.

Abstract: A modular utility cart includes four corner posts, at least one intermediate shelf and a top shelf. The cart incorporates improved structures for securing the intermediate and top shelves to the posts. Specifically, each intermediate shelf is formed with four open collars each for embracing one post. Each collar has a cross-section substantially congruent to the cross-section of the associated post, and has an upper right tubular portion embracing the post, a lower tubular portion having a downwardly outwardly inclined inner surface, and a transition portion between the upper and lower portions. The top shelf, which is mountable in the region of the tops of the posts, is formed with four blind tubular collars, each having a downwardly outwardly inclined inner surface and an inwardly projecting retaining flange at the bottom edge of the surface.

Abstract: A latching mechanism, for latching and unlatching a panel movable relative to a stationary panel of a container, includes a latch secured to one of the panels, and a structure defining an opening in the other of the panels through which the latch extends when the movable panel is in container-closing position. A latch keeper is positioned by a positioning device in operative position relative to the other of the panels to engage and retain the latch when the movable panel is in container-closing position. A keeper actuating device is operable to shift the latch keeper to latch-releasing position. The positioning device and the keeper cooperate to maintain the keeper in operative position and the keeper is manually shiftable from the operative position for disengagement from the other of the panels.

Abstract: A device stores a plurality of dishes or the like in a plurality of stacks with each stack at an object region within the device. The device includes a generally square base and corner-defining structures that project generally perpendicularly from the base to define the corners of each of four quadrant regions. Divider panels are removably mountable on the base to separate the quadrant regions. Further, partitions are mounted in each of the quadrant regions for selectable movement among first, second, and third fixed positions. All of the partitions, when in the first fixed positions and with the divider panels mounted, cooperate with the corner-defining structures and the divider panels to define four generally equally sized primary object regions. The partitions, when in the second fixed positions with the divider panels demounted, cooperate with the corner-defining structures to define eight generally equally sized secondary object regions.

Abstract: A system for storing cylindrical articles such as wine bottles, in bulk, comprises a plurality of platforms mounted in spaced, generally mutually parallel horizontal relation and a plurality of spacer walls extending at an oblique angle to and in mutually parallel relation between each two adjacent platforms. Each pair of spacer walls is separated by a distance at least equal to twice the effective diameter of one of the cylindrical articles. Therefore, a first row of at least two of the articles can be supported on each platform between adjacent spacer walls. Additional rows of a number of articles, equal to the number in the first row, can then be supported on an underlying row with a portion of the articles in the additional row supported by and between two underlying articles.